Body Scanning Anyone?

Trimming that Tree

Mom & Dad,

I just wanted you to know that trimming our family Christmas tree was more fun this year than ever before! I mean you practically let me open all the ornaments from their special boxes and you didn't even flinch when I was on top step of the step ladder.

I was even allowed to place all the little nutcrackers on my fingers this year. You would not even let me near them last year!

Thanks. I had a lot of fun with you and our tree is "my favorite" which is something I like saying a lot right now!

See, I didn't even break anything! I told you to trust me!

Thanksgivings To Remember

Reflect

Wherever you find yourself today, we wish you a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. May you find the time to reflect peacefully on all the joys that family and friends bring (I said all the joys!), not only today, but throughout the entire year.

May you also be thankful and give thanks to God, for all we have today and always is by this grace.

Happy Thanksgiving! Make this a joyous holiday to remember!

A little bit of "me time"

Mmmm, Starbucks smoothie....

Get that camera outta here and give me a few minutes to myself, will ya? I've had a rough day!

Whoa, I almost got sick just watching our own video!

It is quite possibly her FAVORITE thing to do, so when we saw it at Noah's birthday party, we had to climb inside.

We jumped. We played. We tried not to hurt anyone...too badly (sorry, Chaz!). But more importantly, we debated for a long time about who had more fun at Noah's birthday party!

Like Herding Cats!

Okay you three, look over here! No, right here, at the camera.

Great job, but, OK, now Ellena, look up here and let's do it again.

Uh, no, over here, lookie here! On 3, everyone say cheese-it's!

Alright! Oh, Nolan, don't look at your shoes. Look up here!

Well, Charlotte's looking here, but the other two have taken interest in the ground!

One more time! Right here! And GO!

Ellena!? Over here, Kiddo! Turn around now baby. Last time. Ready, Set, Go!

Forget it.

Nice picture of the fountain, anyway.

Spotted: Inspiration

"Don't tell God how large your storm is,
Tell the storm how large your God is."

I Just Love What Kids Say

As a parent, it may be one of my favorite things to observe. You just never know what your kids are piecing together inside their noggin's based on what they are learning and/or what you've told them in the past.

Setting: McDonald's, Friday evening, just the two of us

Her: "Where's Momma?"

Me: "Remember, she's travelling for work. What would you like? Nuggets? Cheeseburger? Fries?"

Her: "Oh, I remember. I don't want anything."

Me: "Really? Nothing? Okay, we'll I think you'll be hungry soon, so I'm going to get you a cheeseburger meal."

While attempting to get her to eat:

Me: Take a bite of your burger. It's just like Daddy's and Daddy is eating his." (I had an Angus burger and it comes loaded with lettuce and a tomato).

Her: (thoroughly checking out my burger) "Your cheeseburger has a salad on it!"

I Would Like To Report A Missing Tree

One of the things I love most about life is that it continues to truck on, whether you are paying attention or not. It is all around and in constant motion. As a habit, I try to pay attention to my surroundings because experience has taught me that I just never know what I may miss!

Take this day, for example:

I drove this little black car – a rental – to visit a company and I spent most of the day there. I chose this spot on a quiet side street because it placed the already-scorching ride into the shade. When I came out, it did not take long to realize the car was no longer in the shade.

In fact, the tree that made this a prime spot was missing entirely! I observed wood chips all around in the street, sidewalk, and grass. There was also a stump midway between the street and sidewalk that had a very, very new appearance to its grains!

All I can say is someone has skills because, speaking for myself, I would not trust even me to cut down a tree, much less a tree with a strange car parked underneath it!

You GO, crazy tree-stealing guy with skills!

Homesick Hello

I decided to post this just in case a certain someone decides she needs a little touch of home. We both miss you, Momma!

~~~~~

Editor's Note: Please excuse the messy hair (it was a long day!)

Highly Efficient: Jimmy John's & Honesty

Seven Short Years Ago

To My Love,

Thank you for so many things. Among them, listening and supporting me and always being there. Know that I would marry you all over again. Happy Anniversary.

I Love You,
-L

Isn't IT Though?

We spotted this Jeep up North. I just loved the plate.

There is another sticker at the top of the windshield and a special badge on each side fender. There was mild discussion amongst the group as to whether or not this might possibly be the owner of the T-shirt company, Life is Good.

I mean, it could be, right?

A True Michigan Summer

Smiley face floaty: Check

Green grass: Check

Bathing suit: Check

Sunglasses: Check

Sunshine: Check

Grill: Check

~~~~~~~

Good times: Check

Lights! Camera! ACTION! (in our town!)

I love surprises, and it's a good thing too, because they are EVERYWHERE!

Example: We went to the park this evening to get our swing on (you know, because Rocketship is a complete swinging addict!) and were greeted at the entrance by this sign.

I will summarize - it basically just reads:

"Blah blah blah, we are shooting a production called Home Run Derby blah blah blah and putting this sign up is easier than having all you rubber-neckers sign disclosure statements blah blah blah and if you don't agree blah blah blah you can skid-attle yourselves outta here."

A production, huh? Cool. I mean, we don't usually get this kind of action in our little park!

And here it is, a gaggle of crew members, and I DO MEAN GAGGLE! I had no idea it took this many people to "make it all happen". But they there are. A couple of guys on a camera dolly thing. Someone with a script in hand. Some other loudmouth piping orders all over the place. A few taking a break. And what appeared to be a child actor being thrown a ball by an adult actor.

Here's one of their large trucks, complete with generator trailer, catering cart, and another trailer that could only have been a port-o-potty (presumably super-posh!).

Check out all these trucks!

You just never know what's around the corner!

The Cleveland Shower

E and Dad

I often receive comments from our visitors that there are a lack of pictures of the 'dad' on this page. What ever you say...SO, after finally releasing my beloved cameras from my clutch for a few precious moments, the following pictures were taken.

Happy? (sticking tongue out).

These pictures were taken during Gigi's recent visit. We went to visit Tollgate Gardens. I really liked this homemade flower thingy.

It was constructed of copper tubing (elbows, tees, etc.) that had patina'd nicely. Mental note and promise: if I ever have a garden, I will break out the flux and sweat some pipes together...

Shapes are Fun!

While visiting friends near Cleveland over the weekend (and showing someone expecting a new baby), Rocketship walked around to the back of this car, stopped, pointed, looked at me and proclaimed the following: “Look, that’s a lot of ovals!”

Completely cracked me up.

Yes, sweetie, it SURE is.

Rocketship's Piercings

So we've been explaining to the wee one about possibly getting earrings. She has been so excited to look "like mama". We've looked at them in the store and we've played around in the jewelry box at home. We've maaaaaaaybe even bribed her at times (alas, it is true...). Let's just say it's been played up for a bit.

Earlier in the week, we stopped at a shop and looked into it and - boom - before any of us knew what happened, she was the proud owner of two new little studs!

She was SUCH a trooper too, didn't even cry. Well, OK, she flinched! Mom was really good at nipping this early by teaching that, although it will hurt at first, the proper thing to do is to say "Ouchie......I'm OK".

It completely worked!

Here is a picture from "the chair", courtesy of my not-so-good camera phone.

And later in the day at home. Again, she LOVES them!

Even though I think they look great on her, it is just one of those things that makes you realize she's growing up. She looks so much more like a little woman now!

Leftovers: America's Birthday

This was another beautiful Michigan weekend. Perfect for running through the sprinkler...

Or just standing and letting it soak you. Watch out, Mimi, or you'll get hit too!

We continue to celebrate Rocketship's birthday that never really happened (because she was sick and we canceled the party) and won't stop happening (because we keep seeing people that have presents for her, hence song-singing, candle-blowing, etc.). We think she loves it...

This time we celebrated Papa's birthday as well. Candles go surprisingly well in watermelon.

Cousin Lily loved her watermelon and joined the "Clean Plate Club"!

The girls are always happy to see each other.

Even Midgie got in on the holiday action.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

'Til next year! Happy birthday, America!